Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. Purchases 14,842 Shares of Verizon Communications Inc. $VZ

Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) by 0.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,581,062 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock after acquiring an additional 14,842 shares during the quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $66,942,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in VZ. USS Investment Management Ltd raised its position in Verizon Communications by 4.6% in the first quarter. USS Investment Management Ltd now owns 713,156 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $35,790,000 after purchasing an additional 31,354 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 41.0% during the fourth quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 2,197,366 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $89,499,000 after purchasing an additional 639,380 shares during the last quarter. Clarity Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 697.0% in the fourth quarter. Clarity Financial LLC now owns 471,127 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $19,189,000 after buying an additional 412,018 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc. increased its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 15.3% in the fourth quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 2,382,975 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $97,059,000 after buying an additional 316,854 shares during the period. Finally, Keudell Morrison Wealth Management bought a new position in Verizon Communications in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,171,000. 62.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Verizon Communications in a report on Friday, May 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Verizon Communications from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Freedom Capital raised Verizon Communications to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, June 12th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Verizon Communications from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane reduced their price target on Verizon Communications from $46.00 to $44.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $50.84.

Verizon Communications Stock Up 2.6%

Verizon Communications stock opened at $48.19 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. The company has a market capitalization of $200.20 billion, a PE ratio of 12.55, a PEG ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.25. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $45.23 and its 200 day moving average is $46.98. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.39 and a 12-month high of $51.68.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 24th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.27 by $0.03. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.48% and a net margin of 11.64%.The firm had revenue of $34.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $35.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.22 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.990-5.040 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 5.03 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 10th were paid a $0.7075 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 10th. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Verizon Communications’s dividend payout ratio is presently 73.70%.

Verizon Communications News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Verizon is using its fiber network to support AI data-center and hyperscaler connectivity. A reported deal worth more than $1 billion with Google, along with additional potential hyperscaler agreements, could create new revenue opportunities beyond traditional wireless services. Can AI Infrastructure Drive Verizon’s Next Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Recent commentary highlights rising earnings estimates, stronger wireless performance and fiber expansion as reasons for a more constructive long-term outlook. Verizon’s value characteristics— including a relatively low earnings multiple and substantial shareholder distributions—may attract income- and value-focused investors. Should You Bet on VZ Stock Amid Rising Earnings Estimate Revisions?
• Positive Sentiment: Verizon has begun Pixel 11 preorders with installment and upgrade offerings, supporting device-sales activity and customer acquisition while reinforcing its partnership with Google. Verizon Simplicity meets Google AI
• Neutral Sentiment: The company has prepared its Hawai‘i network for Tropical Storm Lala with generators, satellite assets and pre-positioned equipment. Coordination with emergency agencies supports reliability and reputation, but the announcement is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Verizon readies for Tropical Storm Lala
• Negative Sentiment: Investors continue to weigh Verizon’s heavy debt load, competitive wireless market and capital requirements for fiber and AI infrastructure. Analysts’ average recommendation remains “Hold,” reflecting limited conviction despite the improved growth narrative. Verizon Receives Average Hold Recommendation

About Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) is a major U.S.-based telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and information services. Its operations span consumer and business markets, with core offerings that include wireless voice and data services, fixed-line broadband and fiber-optic services, and enterprise networking solutions. Verizon is headquartered in New York City and operates a nationwide wireless network that supports consumer subscribers as well as business and government customers.

The company’s consumer products include mobile phone plans, unlimited data services, and Fios, its branded fiber-optic internet, television and voice service for homes and small businesses.